Use of DPA(n-6) Oils in Infant Formula

Abstract

Infant formula compositions containing docosapentaenoic acid n-6 (“DPA(n-6)”) and other polyunsaturated fatty acids and methods for their preparation and use are provided.

1 . An infant formula composition, wherein, when ready for consumption by the infant, the composition comprises long chain n-3 fatty acids and long chain n-6 fatty acids; wherein the long chain n-3 fatty acids comprise docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); wherein the long chain n-6 fatty acids comprise docosapentaenoic acid (DPA(n-6)) and optionally arachidonic acid (ARA); wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is less than about 3:1, and wherein the DHA:DPA(n-6) ratio is from about 5:1 to about 0.5:1. 
     
     
         2 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is less than about 1.75:1. 
     
     
         3 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is greater than about 0.4:1. 
     
     
         4 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the long chain n-6 fatty acids in the infant formula compositions are supplied in a source oil, wherein the source oil comprises long chain n-6 fatty acids comprising at least about 2% by weight DPA(n-6). 
     
     
         5 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least about 7 mg/L of DPA(n-6). 
     
     
         6 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the DHA, ARA or DPA(n-6) is from a source selected from the group consisting of a plant, an oilseed, a microorganism, an animal, and mixtures of the foregoing. 
     
     
         7 . The infant formula composition of  claim 6 , wherein the source is a microorganism selected from the group consisting of algae, bacteria, fungi and protists. 
     
     
         8 . The infant formula composition of  claim 6 , wherein the source is selected from the group consisting of genetically modified plant and genetically modified oilseed selected from the group consisting of soybean, corn, safflower, sunflower, canola, flax, peanut, mustard, rapeseed, chickpea, cotton, lentil, white clover, olive, palm, borage, evening primrose, linseed and tobacco and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The infant formula composition of  claim 6 , wherein the source is selected from the group consisting of a genetically modified plant, a genetically modified oilseed, and a genetically modified microorganism, wherein the genetic modification comprises the introduction of a polyketide synthase gene or a portion thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The infant formula composition of  claim 6 , wherein the source is a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Thraustochytriales, dinoflagellates, and  Mortierella.    
     
     
         11 . The infant formula composition of  claim 10 , wherein the microorganism is selected from the group consisting of  Schizochytrium, Thraustochytrium , and  Crypthecodinium.    
     
     
         12 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a blend of microbial oils, and wherein the blend comprises oil from a thraustochytrid microorganism and oil from a dinoflagellate microorganism. 
     
     
         13 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the DHA:DPA(n-6) ratio is selected from the group consisting of from about 5:1 to about 3:1, from about 5:1 to about 2:1, and from about 5:1 to about 1:1. 
     
     
         14 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.37 mg/L of cholesterol to about 500 mg/L cholesterol. 
     
     
         15 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.37 mg/L of cholesterol to about 3.75 mg/L cholesterol. 
     
     
         16 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in an amount less than about 3 mg/L. 
     
     
         17 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises EPA in an amount less than about 60 mg/L. 
     
     
         18 . The infant formula composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated to provide at least about 2 mg/kg/day DPA(n-6) when administered to an infant. 
     
     
         19 . The infant formula composition of  claim 18 , wherein the composition is formulated to provide from about 3 mg/kg/day DPA(n-6) to about 8 mg/kg/day DPA(n-6) when administered to an infant. 
     
     
         20 . A method of feeding an infant comprising administering an infant formula composition  claim 1  to an infant. 
     
     
         21 . A method of preparing an infant formula composition, comprising combining nutritional components, long chain n-3 fatty acids and long chain n-6 fatty acids; wherein the long chain n-3 fatty acids comprise DHA; wherein the long chain n-6 fatty acids comprise ARA and DPA(n-6); wherein the ratio of ARA:DHA is less than about 3:1, and wherein the DHA:DPA(n-6) ratio is from about 5:1 to about 0.5:1. 
     
     
         22 . An infant formula composition, wherein the composition comprises long chain n-6 fatty acids and DHA, wherein the long chain n-6 fatty acids are supplied in a source oil, wherein the source oil comprises long chain n-6 fatty acids comprising at least about 2% by weight DPA(n-6), wherein the DHA:DPA(n-6) ratio is from about 5:1 to about 0.5:1, and wherein the composition is formulated to provide at least about 2 mg/kg/day DPA(n-6) when administered to an infant. 
     
     
         23 . A method of feeding an infant comprising administering an infant formula composition of  claim 22  to an infant. 
     
     
         24 . A method of preparing an infant formula composition, comprising combining nutritional components, DHA, and the long chain n-6 fatty acids, wherein the long chain n-6 fatty acids in the infant formula compositions are supplied in a source oil, wherein the source oil comprises long chain n-6 fatty acids comprising at least about 2% by weight DPA(n-6), and wherein the DHA:DPA(n-6) ratio is from about 5:1 to about 0.5:1, whereby an infant formula composition is prepared that provides at least about 2 mg/kg/day DPA(n-6) when administered to an infant. 
     
     
         25 - 42 . (canceled)